Last year MDC was required to consult on national level changes to freedom camping and self-contained vehicle certification standards. We used the opportunity to make sure our freedom camping areas still meet the needs of residents and visitors to the district.

Thank you to those who shared their feedback.


Our Current Consultation

We've incorporated your feedback, updated our proposed bylaw and made some improvements including providing for freedom camping at Mt Lees and Old School Reserve Pohangina.

You can read the detailed consultation documents under the heading 'Consultation Documents' or a summary of the changes and improvements are outlined below.

  • Changes to the definitions of Local Authority Area, and Self-Contained Vehicle.
  • Insertion of a definition of “Transitional Period” that provides clarity when in conjunction with the definition of “Self-contained Vehicle” above.
  • Changes to the “Offences and Breaches” and “Penalties” sections of the bylaw to refer to the new infringement offences and infringement fees now payable.
  • Provision for both self-contained and non-self-contained freedom camping at Mt Lees and at the Old School Reserve, Pohangina
  • Removal of the Rangiwahia Domain as a fee is now charged to stay at this site
  • Removal of the Himatangi Beach North Road Reserves from the bylaw
  • Removal of the Halcombe Domain from the bylaw due to land ownership considerations
  • Clarification of restrictions that apply at Putai Ngahere Reserve (Vinegar Hill)
  • Prohibition of freedom camping at the Tangimoana Estuarine Reserves
  • Deletion of reference to the Local Government Act 2002 as the bylaw is being made under sections 11 and 11A of the Freedom Camping Act 2011.
  • Replacement of reference to “Approved Camping Areas” with “Camping Ground” which is defined in the Act.
  • Replacement of clauses relating to the keeping of animals at freedom camping sites as this is managed through other Council bylaws
  • Improvements to the clauses that relate to temporary prohibitions or temporary restrictions at freedom camping sites
  • Deletion of clauses that allowed changes to the Schedules without following the bylaw review process outlined in the Act.

Have your say

Use the digital form below to make your submission and have your say. If you prefer a hard copy of the document or submission form, visit:

  • the MDC Customer Service team, currently located at the Makino Aquatic Centre (10 Council Place, Feilding) or
  • the Manawatū Community Hub Library (64 Stafford Street, Feilding).

Submissions close 5pm, Friday 28 March 2025.